Conscience and Consciousness
I smacked, I smacked, I smacked the fly.
In my defense, it had to die!
Should I be patient, the buzz?
Should I ignore it, the hover?
What reason for mercy on this occasion?
An annoying, fruitless, insectile invasion!
I smacked, I smacked, I smacked the fly.
In my defense, it had to die!
Endless swats but no hints taken,
The peace of its own place forsaken
In order to cavort about my head.
Mocking my slowness, almost lazily it flies
Winking at me with a thousand eyes;
Is it any wonder it ended up dead?
I smote, I smote, I smote the fly.
In my defense, it had to die!
Unless I profess only to ease the pain
Of an action most inhumane.
Why, how could a life so small
Be worth a single thought at all?
Judge’s comments:
Clever, funny. The rhythm, rhyme and language make this poem a joy to hear read aloud. The word choice, sometimes outdated, sometimes biblical, sometimes exaggerated, make this poem witty, humorous with an undertone of seriousness. Maybe a fly is not so inconsequential?
Natalie Wilson
Natalie Wilson is a current student at Lewis & Clark College, majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in English. Writing and reading poetry and other genres has always been a significant part of her life, from personal interest to volunteer work, and she is very excited to enter her first writing contest with the OPA. Her favorite poets are Wislawa Szymborska and William Blake.